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Romania - F-35 Lightning II

The Romanian Air Force’s transition program to 5th generation aircraft was launched 22 November 2024. Romania’s decision to acquire advanced fighter jets is a key step in the ongoing modernization of the Romanian Armed Forces and will contribute significantly to the long-term defense of the NATO Alliance and collective security. This is the message of the United States Ambassador in Bucharest, Kathleen Kavalec, at the launch event of the Romanian Air Force’s transition program to 5th generation aircraft.

The 32 F-35 aircraft for which the acquisition contract was signed by the Romanian and American governments is the top of aviation performance at present, says the Defense Minister, Angel Tîlvar: "F-35 aircraft have stealth technology, advanced sensor and communications systems, unparalleled speed and maneuverability, which makes them vital for modern military operations. The unique technological capabilities of these aircraft allow them to act as a multiplier for both deterrence and air defense capabilities, including those based on the ground, and for indirect fire force support systems, which can be supported in real time with data from the space in which they operate."

According to the minister, the allocation of 2% of the GDP for Defense since 2017, a percentage that has now reached 2.5%, has allowed the Romanian Army to begin the most extensive modernization process. And the advance – as stated by the US ambassador Kathleen Kavalec – is a significant one: the Romanian Air Force has switched from MiG aircraft to F-16 fighter jets, so that, from 2030, it will have state-of-the-art F-35 aircraft. The American diplomat recalled that the current security challenges are significant, and Romania, as a NATO ally on the eastern flank, has been directly affected by Russia’s war of aggression in the neighboring Ukraine.

When needed, the Romanian Air Force and the Alliance have mobilized fighter jets, following the detection of airspace violations in southeastern Romania, near the border with Ukraine. Beyond the military impact, says Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, the acquisition of the F-35 aircraft also has an economic impact: "By integrating these aircraft into the Romanian Armed Forces, Romania has stimulated the development of the defense sector and will support the creation of jobs in key areas of the defense industry and technology. In addition, the integration of the F-35 into the National Defense System will offer new opportunities for training and professional development for our young specialists in the technological field." It is, therefore, an element that contributes to the development of a competent and well-trained workforce, the Prime Minister also said.

After buying second-hand fighter jets from Portugal and Norway, Romania will upgrade its air force, with new generation fighters will only enter service after 2030. By 2006 Romania's ultimate goal was the acquisition of Joint Strike Fighters (JSF) and some speculated about whether new or used F-16s would provide the best access to the new JSF.

In March 2006 President Traian Basescu described Romania's ultimate goal as the acquisition of Joint Strike Fighters (JSF) and speculated about whether new or used F-16s would provide the "best access to the new JSF." He stated that he would appreciate guidance on whether it was better to obtain new or used F-16s, but stressed he was conscious of the advantages of acquiring new planes. Suggestions concerning the F-35 were vanity talking. Romania had a proud cultural history, but the economy hasn’t caught up to the $180 million per plane cost of the F-35 JSF.

Romania was not identified by Lockheed Martin officials as one of the possible buyers in presentations to the industry in 2007. Lockheed-Martin, in tandem with allies in the Presidency and Ministry of Defense, was seeking a "sole-source" route to the fighter plane decision, which they do not want to see tied up in the Brussels bureaucracy by the F-16/JSF's principal European competitors, Grippen and Eurofighter. This was always going to be a tricky exercise, with an expectation that supporters of a European fighter option would loudly cry foul.

However, in 2008 in an attempt to safeguard a US sales to Romania, the USA offered a “lease option” of 48 F-16C/Ds from USAF Air National Guard reserves until 2020, when Romania makes a commitment to buy the F-35 starting from 2020. Romania would gain the status of partner in the Joint Strike Fighter Program. But Romania wants to have important industrial “off-set” and with no fixed price known and with the restrictions in defense budgets this may not be probable.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said on 02 February 2022, at the 71st Air Base „General Emanoil Ionescu” in Câmpia Turzii, that, in the process of modernizing the Air Force, Romania is considering the purchase of F-35 “state-of-the-art” aircraft. “As far as we are concerned, Romania is determined to further develop and modernize its military capabilities, in accordance with the commitments made within the North Atlantic Alliance. At the same time, we will continue to pay more attention to increasing the operational capacity of all military structures, both through national efforts and in a multinational context. The continuation of Romania’s strategic efforts to guarantee the territorial integrity and security of its citizens, as well as to provide support to allied and partner states, in accordance with its international commitments, is a priority of our country’s foreign and security policy. At the same time, increasing resilience, both at the level of military structures and at the level of public institutions and society as a whole, is a main direction of action subsumed by the implementation of the National Strategy for National Defense (…)"

The new types of aircraft fitted to the Army, especially F-16 aircraft, allow all specific missions to be carried out with high efficiency. The process of modernizing the Air Force will not stop here, however, we intend to purchase state-of-the-art aircraft, F-35,” said President Klaus Iohannis. The Romanian head of state argued that the risks to Romania’s security have increased and “we must be very well prepared to counter the aggressive actions”.

“We are going through an extremely tense period, when risks to the security of the region, including Romania, have increased.(…) There are obvious tendencies to return to the policy of force and to challenge the current liberal international order, as well as the European security architecture, built after the Cold War,” said Iohannis.

Iohannis made these statements after, together with the Minister of Defense, Vasile Dîncu, he visited the Air Base from Câmpia Turzii, where the United States would invest over 130 million dollars. The F-35 is a state-of-the-art aircraft considered "invisible" to radar. Stealth aircraft such as the F-35 use specific fuselage shapes and special paint so that radar waves are "absorbed" and reflected as little as possible when hitting the aircraft. The radar section of such an aircraft can be as small as that of a bird.

On 13 September 2024 the US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Romania of F-35 Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $7.2 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale.

The Government of Romania requested to buy thirty-two (32) F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter Conventional Take Off and Landing (CTOL) aircraft; and thirty-three (33) Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines (32 installed, 1 spare). The following non-MDE items will also be included: AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loaders (SKL); Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) equipment, secure communications, precision navigation, and cryptographic equipment; Cartridge Actuated Devices/Propellant Actuated Devices (CAD/PAD); multi-purpose missile equipment; ammunition and weapons components; aircraft and munitions support and support equipment; integration and test support and equipment; spare and repair parts, consumables and accessories, and repair and return support.

The request alsoincluded training aids and devices, and spare parts; major and minor modifications, maintenance, and maintenance support; integrated computer system; electronic warfare data and Reprogramming Lab support; Electronic Combat International Security Assistance Program (ECISAP) software support; aircraft engine Component Improvement Program (CIP) support; classified and unclassified software and software development, delivery, and integration support; classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation; classified and unclassified personnel training, and training gear and equipment; transportation, ferry, and refueling support; facilities and construction support; studies and surveys; Contractor Logistics Support (CLS); U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally that is an important force for political and economic stability in Europe. The proposed sale will improve Romania’s capability to meet current and future threats by further equipping it to conduct self-defense and regional security missions while enhancing interoperability with the United States and other NATO members. Romania will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.